Design firm RETTEW has been selected to engineer and permit a 3.2-MWdc floating solar array in Cohoes, New York. The floating array is one of 10 projects U.S. Representative Paul Tonko from New York is submitting to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations for federal investment under the new Community Project Funding process.

“Cohoes officials have astutely pointed out the funding inequities that currently act as a barrier for municipalities to own and operate their own photovoltaic system,” said State Senator Neil D. Breslin and Assemblymember John T. McDonald III. “We agree it is time to level that playing field.”

Municipally owned and operated, the city’s proposed floating solar demonstration project would be installed on its secured 14-acre water reservoir for $5.9 million. This includes a federal share of $4.7 million and a non-federal share of $1.2 million.

“Technological advancements and increasing adoption of clean energy initiatives are attracting promising growth in the renewable energy market across the country. We are proud to be part of that movement with our work on this impressive floating solar project,” said Jason Wert, RETTEW national market leader for renewables.

When installed, the Cohoes floating array will generate 100% of the city’s energy demand for its municipal facilities. The city’s electricity cost is approximately $660,000 annually. This floating solar array will let the city use 40% of its power-generating capacity for other community purposes.

“The floating solar array could be a true watershed project for the region, as several municipalities own water supplies and struggle with operational costs and energy challenges for water treatment,” said Mark Castiglione, Capital District Regional Planning Commission executive director.

RETTEW has worked on four other floating solar projects including the design of the nation’s largest floating solar array, with many others in the pipeline. RETTEW is known for developing solutions for site-specific challenges and coordinating with regulatory agencies, which alleviates environmental concerns on site.